New bacteria to fight spread of dengue

COLOMBO (News 1st) - An awareness program about a new bacteria to control the spread of dengue commenced today around Obeysekera Pura in Rajagiriya. The National Dengue Eradication Unit stated that the bacteria called Wolbachia is injected into the mosquito eggs in order to control dengue. Following the research carried out by Australia's Monash University, the Wolbachia bacteria injected eggs are to be released to the local environment. Director of the National Dengue Eradication Unit, Dr Aruna Jayasekera said the Wolbachia bacteria, is used in Australia as well as many other countries to eradicate dengue. Its research experiment will begin in February.